The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1887-12-17
UNCLE SANS NAILS.
Annual Report and Recomme ad ations Of
the Postmasyer General.

Postmaster General Villas III his annual report,
notes gain in receipts of the department fox
the year OF 81 $4,000 Thie the increase in ois
puisements has been but little over S2,0O0,0oo
The whole number of postoffces ON the lst day OF
october bad become s., ,44 of which 1881 were
salaried CT presidential offices, and 5S,GHs were
fourth class. Besides these were 625 branch Of
nces or stations, an increase OF y fer the sale OF
stamps only. OF the whole, e,0S9 were money!
order offices and 10 money-order sta
tlons The appointments of postmasten'
numbered altogether during the fiscal yeaS
lcrUl9 of which 6.s6S were 10 fiji vacancies hap
penlng upon the expiration OF commissions OF
py reslgEauoni 2,5s4 upon removals OF suspen-
sions; 5s9 hy death; 3,o43 by newly established
ofhces. Among these appointments S93 were upon
the Presidents commission TO vacancies which
happened from the causes and in the respective
numbers following By expiration OF commis-
sion, $50; by resignation, l22; by removal or
shspension; sps sS, ~ death 49, ana so upon
a presidential class, l45. The free de-
livery system was extended during the year 10
eight additional cities The number of lines OF
railway employed is now elS, an increase of ~,
ana the total cost OF tr nsporation, exclusive of
foreign mail matter, Tor the year s2s,9ss,-
32S5e
A new postal convention VITA the United Mex.
lean states has been negotiated and parcels post
conventions with Jamaica and Barbados nego-
tiatlous for similar conventions with Central aud
South American States being now in progress
Mr. Villas deyotes several pages of his report to
the fnanc al history of the postal service which,
IN 1852 and 1888, showed a surplus of 81, 400 900
and 100000 respectively, but which has sines
shown deficit, the letter postage having been
reduced from 10 cents in 1883, the balance
against the service June so, 1885, reaching 81
900. This has been largely reduced now by
the general prosperity OF the country, which has
increased the mails The total revenue for the
year ending June 80 1887 sis, sS7 600 39.
total expenditures s52,s3,ll36l: cash
deficiency SS,976, ,504 D. add credits and
earnings OF the Pacific Railroad SI,sS25 5eS. %;
total excess OF cost over revenue, 81, 45gle3.l4
The revenue ior the present year is estimated as
So 26l2,U3602 and the expenditures at SIS 2i2.-
C3502 In conclusion Mr.. Villas explains al
length the recent controversy as TO exterior
marks on mail matter; recommends the increase
OF sa aries of officers OF he department.; the crea
ton of the Office of fourth assistant postmaster
general, and ands few words OF commendatiop
for the officers, clerks and employees of TIE de-
partment
AS some of the objects which claim attention,
Mr. Villas suggests the formulation of rules TO
govern the provisions of clerical force for the
post Offices, and to fix the grades and Compensa-
ton of their officers and employees upon dis
system for approximately uniform organizations
OF the administrative and clerical force in Offices
OF the hig her classes; the provision OF buildings
for post Offices in communities of such size as to
require an office independent OF private affairs;
the extension and perfection OF the sys-
TEN OF free delivery until sIl conlmunt-
les enjoy its privileges which are
30 situated as TO make ii their due: the thorough
Tetorma alton OF the system of employing ana
paying for railroad transportation; the estab
lshment of additional fast mail service until all
the trunk lines OF mail communication are SO
provided. provision for the instruction and eN-
animation of persons for the appointment IN the
railway mail service. enlargement OF the foreign
parcels post system recently entered upon 30 as
TO embrace ell countries with which retail
trade viii be advantageous TO our people; and
postal convenience calculated TO enhance the
utiI ~ OF the service to the people.